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When Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace met with the media on Tuesday, he said that “everything is on the table” at the quarterback position this offseason.
Pace didn’t confirm anything, which was to be expected. But he left the door open for a potential return of Mitchell Trubisky, Nick Foles getting the starting nod, drafting a young quarterback, targeting one in free agency and even making a trade to land a star quarterback.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport joined the Pat McAfee Show, where he shed some light on Chicago’s quarterback options this offseason. Rapoport mentioned Alex Smith, Marcus Mariota and Sam Darnold as potential targets for the Bears.
According to @RapSheet QB options for the #Bears include Alex Smith, Marcus Mariota, & potentially Sam Darnold #PatMcAfeeShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/Tetnb2aBDD
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 2, 2021
“Their options include Alex Smith when he gets cut, possible,” Rapoport said. “I would say Marcus Mariota, if he gets cut, possible. Sam Darnold would be another interesting one. If the Jets trade Sam Darnold, someone is going to trade for him, and the Bears would make a lot of sense. I think it would set up a huge make or break type of season for both of those parties.”
Smith is certainly the most intriguing option given his previous experience with Bears head coach Matt Nagy in Kansas City. It doesn’t hurt speculation that Nagy mentioned Smith in his offseason press conference on Tuesday, including noting Smith’s leadership is one of the traits he’s looking for in his perfect quarterback.
Chicago has been mentioned with some of the quarterbacks rumored to be on the trade market, including Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson. And while the options Rapoport mentioned fall mostly in line with free agency, don’t rule out the possibility Bears making a trade for a star quarterback.
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